2017 MLB Mock Draft – 4/10/17

I have been writing mock drafts since I was a middle school kid in the early 90’s. This is the first time I have ever tried to do the baseball thing. Frankly, I know nothing about these players, but am planning on creating MLB 17 The Show draft classes this summer, so this is a good first step in learning the prospects.

I hope you enjoy, and please, like always, like my Facebook page and comment.

2017 MLB Mock Draft

Pick

Team

Player

H/W

Hometown

Position

1. Minnesota Twins

Hunter Greene, Notre Dame High (CA)

6’4, 197 lbs

Stevenson Ranch, CA

SS/RHP

Could be the first high school right handed pitcher to ever go first overall. A great hitter but even better pitcher. Routinely hits 100+ with his fastball. Secondary pitch is a slurve like breaking ball. Likely to be drafted as a pitcher. Very young, will only be 17 during the draft. Committed to UCLA.

2. Cincinnati Reds

Brendan McKay, Louisville

6’2, 205 lbs

Darlington, PA

1B/LHP

Former 34th round pick of the Padres. Not the most athletic but an advanced hitter with a disciplined approach at the plate. Fastball stays in the lower 90’s, topping out at 94 MPH. Curveball is a solid second pitch, and he has the ability to develop his average changeup. As a batter, he profiles as a below average power player who will be limited to first base. Higher upside as a pitcher. The Reds are said to prefer him as a pitcher.

3. San Diego Padres

Jeren Kendall, Vanderbilt

5’11, 190 lbs

Holmen, WI

OF

The Padres have drafted college players the past several seasons, as they look to jump start the rebuild quickly. Kendall looks like the top available position player. Very quick and athletic. A solid defensive center fielder who should stick there in the majors. Well coached, coming from powerhouse Vanderbilt. Struggles with strikeouts, and not much of a disciplined hitter. Will need to learn to take walks or could be a Billy Hamilton like offensive player.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

Austin Beck, North Davidson High (NC)

6’0, 180 lbs

Arcadia, NC

OF

The Rays have favored high schoolers from the South East in recent years, which would give Beck the upper hand on Royce Lewis. Beck has bounced back from a torn ACL to show all tools scouts look for in a hitter. A potential power bat with plus speed, the only concerns are injury related.

5. Atlanta Braves

J. B. Bukauskas, North Carolina

6’0, 190 lbs

Ashburn, VA

RHP

The Braves have gone pitching recently, and will probably go that route again. Bukauskas has been the best college pitcher in the early going. A big time strikeout pitcher, who does a good job of limiting walks. Plus fastball, solid slider and developing changeup. Main concern is his size, as pitchers of his stature often have a hard time holding up as starters.

6. Oakland Athletics

Royce Lewis, JSerra Catholic HS (CA)

6’2, 188 lbs

Aliso Viejo, CA

SS/OF

The Athletics have favored seasoned college hitters the past few drafts, but Lewis talent may be too good for the team to pass up. Great athlete with the ability to remain in the middle infield on defense. Strong power potential. Strong athlete who would benefit from Oakland’s great minor league coaching and teaching.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

Alex Faedo, Florida

6’5, 220 lbs

Tampa, FL

RHP

With a new front office, perhaps the Diamondbacks will actually keep the player it drafts in the first round. Faedo looks the part of a dominant front line starter, standing an imposing 6’5. He had off season knee surgery and has struggled with velocity this spring. At his best, he has a 94 mph fastball and a solid slider.

8. Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Wright, Vanderbilt

6’4, 220 lbs

Huntsville, AL

RHP

Once considered a contender for the first overall pick, Kyle Wright has struggled this year. His fastball sits in the low 90’s, and he has a solid breaking ball. Playing for Vanderbilt, scouts will watch his every move, which could spell doom for his stock if he continues to struggle.

9. Milwaukee Brewers

Pavin Smith, Virginia

6’2, 210 lbs

Jupiter, FL

1B/OF

Pavin Smith is not the most exciting college bat available, but he might be the most seasoned. He is one of nine players the Twins are currently considering for the first overall pick. Smith is a high contact, disciplined hitter who rarely strikes out. His power is developing, and he has the chance to develop into a middle of the order hitter, something the Brewers desperately need.

10. Los Angeles Angels

Jordon Adell, Ballard HS (KY)

6’2, 195 lbs

Lousiville, KY

OF

Perhaps one day the Angels will realize it is important to have a stocked farm system. If the Angels do not want to completely waste Mike Trout’s prime, they may have to take a chance here and there. Adell’s defense is ahead of his offense at this point. He is very quick and should be a strong defensive center fielder. The concern is if he can hit with enough average to keep from being a Melvin Upton type at the plate.

11. Chicago White Sox

Seth Romero, Houston

6’3, 240 lbs

West Columbia, TX

LHP

The White Sox went on a selling spree, and now have perhaps the best farm system in the league. Seth Romero is similar to current Chicago starter Carlos Rodon. If he keeps his conditioning under control, he should fly through the minors rather quickly, thanks to a 95 mph fastball, a plus slider and a developing changeup.

12. Pittsburgh Pirates

D.L. Hall, Valdosta HS (GA)

6’0, 190 lbs

Warner Robbins, GA

LHP

The Pirates have not taken a pitcher in the first round (not counting failed signee Mark Appel) since Gerrit Cole in 2010. With most of their premier pitching talent nearing major league ready, Pittsburgh could restock the minor league cupboard. Hall is one of the best prep pitchers in the country, thanks to a low 90’s fastball and plus curve. He is developing a changeup as his third pitch. As for many slender pitchers, the question is whether he will hold up as a starter.

13. Miami Marlins

Tanner Houck, Missouri

6’5, 215 lbs

Collinsville, IL

RHP

The unfortunate loss of Jose Hernandez will set the Marlins pitching rotation back years. Obviously, no draft pick will replace him, but Miami needs to hit on some of it’s picks. Entering the season Tanner Houck was thought of as a top five pick. He has struggled somewhat, but remains intriguing thanks to an imposing frame and a fastball that can hit 98 mph. He relies almost exclusively on the fastball, but also has a slider and changeup in his repertoire.

14. Kansas City Royals

Heliot Ramos, Leadership Christian Academy (PR)

6’2, 185 lbs

Maunabo, PR

OF

The Royals have spent it’s last four first round picks on pitchers, so they could opt to go with a high upside bat here. Heliot Ramos has shot up the draft boards thanks to the 2016 Under Armour All America game. Like a lot of Central America prospects, he is an all or nothing swinger, with tremendous power. Ramos also has the defensive ability to remain in center field. A project to be sure, but one who could pay dividends for Kansas City.

15. Houston Astros

MacKenzie Gore, Whiteville HS (NC)

6’2, 180 lbs

Whiteville, NC

LHP

The Astros have built a strong roster thanks to solid drafting, even though Brady Aiken and Mark Appel are obvious hiccups. Those whiffs make pitching a priority. Gore is skinny but has the frame to bulk up and support his low 90’s fastball and changeup. He is also developing a curveball.

16. New York Yankees

Alex Lange, LSU

6’4, 200 lbs

Lee’s Summit, MO

RHP

Long time baseball fans are still trying to wrap their heads around the Yankees recent philosophy of stockpiling minor league talent. No one is buying it quite yet, and are waiting for New York to go on a big trading spree. Lange looked like a top pick after a strong freshman season, but has struggled with control and discipline on the mound. With a fastball, curve and changeup, he has the potential to be a mid rotation starter.

17. Seattle Mariners

Adam Haseley, VA

6’1, 195 lbs

Windermere, FL

LHP/OF

Mike Zunino is Seattle’s only first round pick this decade to make it to the majors, and he is a below average regular. Adam Haseley has a long track record of success and is putting up great power numbers so far this year. A two way player, Haseley will likely be developed as an above average defensive outfielder.

18. Detroit Tigers

Mark Vientos, American Heritage HS (FL)

6’4, 190 lbs

Pembroke Pines, FL

3B

The Tigers have drafted prep prospects with their last three first round picks, and could go that route again with Vientos. He is still a project, but shows plus power and has the ability to stay at third base (he plays shortstop in high school) in the pro’s. Scouts compare his body type to Manny Machado.

19. San Francisco Giants

Jake Burger, Missouri State

6’2, 220 lbs

St. Louis, MO

3B

The Giants choose to supplant their roster with solid, though unspectacular, position player veterans, but do have some home grown talent in the lineup. Jake Burger does not look the part of a baseball Adonis, but has put up very good numbers so far as a junior, slugging homeruns and hitting at a very high clip. While he may be forced to move to a corner outfield spot, scouts think he has a decent chance to hang in at third base.

20. New York Mets

Trevor Rogers, Carlsbad HS (NM)

6’6, 185 lbs

Carlsbad, NM

LHP

The Mets have one of the best young pitching staffs in baseball, but with that comes expensive future free agents, so drafting a high school arm who could take over in four or five years could make sense. Rogers is a tall lanky southpaw who offers a mid 90’s fastball, decent slider and developing changeup.

21. Baltimore Orioles

Keston Hiura, UC-Irvine

5’11, 185 lbs

Valencia, CA

2B/OF

The Orioles routinely lose draft picks for signing free agents, so they need to make their first rounders count. That has not been the case for DJ Stewart and Hunter Harvey. Keston Hiura would give Baltimore’s offense a bit of a different dimension. He profiles as a potential top of the lineup hitter, thanks to good speed and a solid approach at the plate that results in a lot of walks and few strikeouts.

22. Toronto Blue Jays

Shane Baz, Concordia Lutheran (HS)

6’3, 190 lbs

Cypress, TX

RHP

Ten of the last twelve Blue Jays picks have been pitchers, and that trend should continue in this draft. Shane Baz has risen up draft boards thanks to his solid frame and front line starting potential. He has struggled with control at times, especially while using his secondary pitches (cutter, curveball, changeup) but his fastball can reach 95 mph.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers

Tristan Beck, Stanford

6’4, 165 lbs

Corona, CA

RHP

2016-2017 Stats: N/A

Other than expensive mega-prospect Yadier Alvarez, the Dodgers farm system is a bit light on arms. Tristan Beck might be the most ready to contribute college arm in the class, but a back injury has put his 2017 season on hold. Beck enjoys the college experience and is no sure thing leave, but if he joins the Dodgers, they could get a mid rotation starter with a low 90’s fastball, solid changeup and developing curveball.

24. Boston Red Sox

Logan Warmoth, North Carolina

6’0, 190 lbs

Orlando, FL

SS

The Red Sox had to trade quite a bit of young talent to land Chris Sale. Logan Warmoth is not the most dynamic talent available, but could be a safe bet to become a quality regular. Warmoth is an advanced hitter who is having a great season for one of college baseball’s best programs.

25. Washington Nationals

Griffin Canning, UCLA

6’1, 170 lbs

Coto de Caza, CA

RHP

Like Boston, the Nationals had to trade a lot of youth to the White Sox. Washington has drafted right handed pitchers in the first round every draft from 2011 to 2016. Griffin Canning is an undersized junior who’s excellent junior season has placed him the late first round discussion. He uses four pitches (fastball, curve, changeup and slider) but needs to bulk up if he wants to last as a starter.

26. Texas Rangers

Wil Crowe, South Carolina

6’2, 250 lbs

Sevierville, TN

RHP

Other than the year they wiffed on Dillon Tate, the Rangers have been picking in the 20’s since 2009. Texas hopes to hit on picks and move them for established players. Wil Crowe will not be a GNC spokesperson any time soon, but he uses his strong frame to unleash a mid 90’s fastball and nice curve. He has returned quite nicely from 2015 Tommy John surgery.

27. Chicago Cubs

Hans Crouse, Dana Hills (HS)

6’5, 190 lbs

Dana Hills, CA

RHP

Chicago’s much heralded recent first round haul has brought the big league club Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Albert Almora. The Cubs will most likely pick in the low first round for the next decade, so taking a chance or two could pay dividends. Hans Crouse has the look of a future front line starter, but is still extremely raw and wild, and his future could be as a middle reliever or closer.

28. Toronto Blue Jays

Clarke Schmidt, South Carolina

6’1, 200 lbs

Acworth, GA

RHP

Toronto drafted the high upside high school pitcher with it’s first pick, and will go with the quality college hurler here. Schmidt offers a mid 90’s fastball, inconsistent but impressive curveball and developing changeup and slider.

29. Texas Rangers

Nick Allen, Francis Parker HS (CA)

5’8, 158 lbs

San Diego, CA

SS

Every small Caucasian baseball player is described as “a scrappy David Eckstein”. That year’s honor goes to California high schooler Nick Allen. Allen is only average with the bat, but is a great defender and very quick on the basepaths. If he manages to make The Show, he could become a fan favorite in Texas.

30. Chicago Cubs

Jacob Heatherly, Cullman HS (AL)

6’1, 214 lbs

Cullman, AL

LHP

While chances are slim that late first round high school picks pan out, the Cubs dip into the well twice here. Jacob Heatherly is another young pitcher with high potential but a high bust rate. He has four impressive pitches (fastball, slider, curveball, changeup).

Social

NBA 2K19 Draft Classes

I plan on doing at least two (hopefully four) draft classes for NBA 2K19 on the Playstation 4. There are two links for each class. The spoiler free edition only lists the players, and does not show rankings or OVR ratings.